Socialism and union control; On the Waterfront

Here is a three (3) minute clip from the movie, "On the Waterfront." This clip is 55 years old, but it shows our future.

In this clip, the union boss hands out small chips to the dockworkers. Having a chip allows the worker to work for that day and collect a paycheck. Those workers who have an "in" with the union leadership get a chip. The others either receive nothing or must fight each other for the remaining chips while the union bosses watch and laugh.

Either give kickbacks to the union bosses or don't work. A classic example of "pay to play."

The priest observes the situation with the sister of a dockworker who was recently murdered by the union/mob so he could not testify about union/mob activity on the docks. At one point, she intervenes to help her father obtain a chip.



This is how health care, automobile jobs and other perks of socialism will soon be handed out. These conditions will prevail in any industry that is dominated by government/unions. It is already beginning to happen. Note the Chrysler dealers that were terminated solely because they had not donated money to Obama.

Imagine being seriously ill and having to fight this way for the few health resources that might remain in our soon-to-be socialized medical system.
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Michelle Malkin posts a more specific video about the future of socialized health care.

Pontiac to be discontinued

CNN reports that GM is set to announce the discontinuation of the Pontiac line:

General Motors is preparing to announce that the Pontiac car brand, once marketed as GM's "Excitement division," will be killed off, according to a source familiar with the decision.

An official announcement is expected Monday. GM spokesman Jim Hopson declined to comment on Pontiac's fate, saying the automaker has no announcements to make at this time.

A long line of automobile history is coming to an end. GM began using the Pontiac name in 1926. The rest, as they say, is history -

1936 Pontiac

1948 Silver Streak

1950 Pontiac [from Jaylenosgarage.com]


1950's Pontiac salesmen training DVD



1958 Parisienne


1966 Bonneville


1969 Bonneville

1970 Bonneville

1970 Bonneville




1969 Grand Prix


1966 GTO


1968 GTO

1974 GTO

Pontiac Stinger - 1989 concept car



While the Pontiac brand lost its uniqueness years ago, it is sad nonetheless to see the end made official. The news will surprise no one and may very well be repeated for other brands of GM and other manufacturers.

Congratulations, UAW. Mission accomplished.




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update - click here for Pontiacs in film.

GM - UAW settlement

Liberal Quicksand speculates on the possibility that the recent GM-Union settlement will end up being paid for directly by the taxpayers:

GM gets a ‘going broke’ retirement plan off its responsibility list. They will pay the UAW now. It is the UAW’s ‘problem’ – not that they need to fear that at all.

The Democrat sheepeople ‘the very rank and defiled’ will whine like the spoiled brats – not if, but when the money is gone. I can see the MSPAM stories now of the ‘hard-working’ union man who can’t even afford his beer or lottery tickets anymore. They will be championed as victims. But they are victims of their own liberalism.

Think about all that money just sitting in a union trust fund. I know the union big bosses and the DNC are thinking about it.

Regardless of whether the taxpayers pay directly for this particular settlement, years of union activitiy have already cost us our industrial base.